MayHakata Dontaku Port Festival
Kyushu ・ Fukuoka & Dazaifu
Every year May 3 and 4 (eve festival on May 2)
Aquarium · Kyushu
Marine World Uminonakamichi
Fukuoka & DazaifuIndoor & outdoor
Overview
Overview
An aquarium themed on the seas of Kyushu, located at Uminonakamichi in Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City. It mainly shows sea life from the four seas surrounding Kyushu, and also holds dolphin and sea lion shows and a penguin parade. From Hakata Station it's one transfer by JR, and you can also get there by boat from Bayside Place Hakata.
- Address
- 18-28 Saitozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Fukuoka 811-0321
- Closed
- Check the operating calendar on the official website
- Official website
- https://marine-world.jp/
Highlights
Highlights
In the 7m-deep large open-ocean tank, 20,000 fish of 60 species, including sharks, rays, and skipjack tuna, swim in schools. The dolphin and sea lion show in the show pool, the penguin parade on the outdoor Kaiju Island, and the adorable finless porpoise exhibit are popular. The Seas of Kyushu zone on 3F recreates the environments of the East China Sea, the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan, and the Seto Inland Sea in tanks.
Hours
Opening hours
October – November 20269:30–17:30
Entry until 1 hour before closing (16:30)
Halloween Night (October 31, 2026)9:30–21:00
Entry until 1 hour before closing
Dolphin & sea lion show (weekdays, October–November 2026)11:00 / 13:30 / 15:30
Show pool. Times differ on weekends and holidays; check the official website
Penguin parade (weekdays)12:20
Kaiju Island. Penguin exhibit open until 16:10
Hours vary by day and season. Check the official website before you go.
Tickets
Prices & tickets
Adults¥2,500
Tax included. Same price for high school, vocational school, and university students
Seniors (65+)¥2,200
Tax included
Elementary & junior high students¥1,200
Tax included
Young children (age 3+)¥700
Tax included
Disability discountHalf the individual price
For the certificate holder and one caregiver
Prices include tax and may change. Check the official website before buying.
🎫 How to buy tickets
- →The official website offers digital tickets, advance tickets, and combo tickets
- →Holders of an Uminonakamichi Seaside Park annual pass get the group rate (holder only)
- →If you use the municipal Chikko parking lot, show your parking ticket at the information desk inside for a discount
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓Check the dolphin and sea lion show and penguin parade times first and plan your route for an efficient visit
- ✓The penguin exhibit is open until 16:10, so if you go in the late afternoon, see the penguins first
- ✓One JR transfer from Hakata Station. You can also go by boat from Bayside Place Hakata
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station
- Uminonakamichi Station (JR Kashii Line)
- From major stations & airports
- Hakata Station: JR Kagoshima Line to Kashii Station, then transfer to the JR Kashii Line (bound for Saitozaki) (About 31 min (excluding transfer time))
- Tenjin Station: Subway Airport Line to Kaizuka, Nishitetsu Kaizuka Line to Wajiro, then the JR Kashii Line (About 42 min (excluding transfer time))
- Bayside Place Hakata: Yasuda Sangyo Kisen boat to Uminonakamichi
- Getting back
- By car, about 15 min from the Island City exit
Weather
Weather & what to wear
Spring
In 2027, the dolphin and sea lion shows will be suspended from January 12 to April 9.
Summer
Some years have evening events in summer (Night Aquarium in 2026).
Autumn
October 31 is Halloween Night, with hours until 21:00 and an evening dolphin show.
Winter
The dolphin and sea lion shows will be suspended from January 12, 2027 (until April 9). Indoor exhibits operate as usual.
- ☂ Rainy days
- Most exhibits are indoors. The shows in the show pool and Kaiju Island are outdoors
- Heat
- Take heat precautions at the outdoor Kaiju Island and show pool
- Cold
- Dress warmly for the outdoor show pool and Kaiju Island
- What to wear & bring
- Everyday clothes are fine
Rules
Rules & what you can bring
- !Photography for personal use only. Commercial photography and live streaming are not allowed
- !There are 2 picnic areas
Facilities
Facilities & services
- Lockers & luggage
- Coin lockers available (¥300–¥500)
- Strollers & wheelchairs
- Wheelchair and stroller loans (¥500 deposit)
- Accessibility
- 5 multipurpose restrooms and a nursing room with hot water. A guide is available for visitors sensitive to light, sound, and smells
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Marine World UminonakamichiPR
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Events
Events & festivals in Fukuoka & Dazaifu
May
JulyHakata Gion Yamakasa
Kyushu ・ Fukuoka & Dazaifu
Every year July 1–15 (the Oiyama race starts at 4:59 in the early morning of the 15th)
SeptemberAttractions
Attractions in Kyushu
ZooKyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari
Kyushu ・ Usa, Oita
A safari park in Ajimu, Usa City, Oita Prefecture, where you tour free-roaming animals by car or bus. You can explore in two ways: the My Car Safari, driving your own car through the Safari Zone with lions, elephants, and more, or the Jungle Bus, which moves along as you feed the animals. It's about 7 minutes by car from Beppuwan Smart IC, making it easy to combine with sightseeing in Beppu and Yufuin.
ZooAso Cuddly Dominion
Kyushu ・ Kumamoto & Aso
A zoo in Aso City where you can interact with 350 animals of 60 species. It centers on animal shows and close-contact facilities with bear cubs, capybaras, and penguins. It's about 1.5 km from JR Aso Station, and highway buses between Kumamoto and Oita/Beppu stop in front of the park.
ExperienceBeppu Jigoku Meguri (Hells of Beppu)
Kyushu ・ Beppu & Yufuin
A Beppu sightseeing classic: touring the seven hot spring sources known as jigoku (hells) in the Kannawa and Kamegawa areas of the hot spring town of Beppu. The hells each differ in color and form, from the cobalt-blue Umi Jigoku and the red Chinoike Jigoku to Tatsumaki Jigoku, which erupts at regular intervals. A combined ticket covers all seven, and you can tour them in about 2.5 hours including travel.
Theme parkHuis Ten Bosch
Kyushu ・ Sasebo & Huis Ten Bosch
A theme park resort in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, recreating Dutch townscapes. Attractions, shops, restaurants, and hotels are spread across large grounds laced with canals. It's about a 5-minute walk from JR Huis Ten Bosch Station and about 1 hour 45 minutes by limited express from Hakata, so a day trip from Fukuoka is possible.
AquariumIo World Kagoshima City Aquarium
Kyushu ・ Kagoshima, Sakurajima & Ibusuki
An aquarium in Honkoshin-machi, Kagoshima City, themed on Kagoshima's seas, from Kinko Bay to the Nansei Islands. It displays about 800 species, and the large Kuroshio tank with its whale shark and the dolphin programs are popular. It's about 15 minutes by streetcar from Kagoshima-Chuo Station, making it easy to drop by while sightseeing in the city.
AquariumKujukushima Aquarium Umi Kirara
Kyushu ・ Sasebo & Huis Ten Bosch
An aquarium in Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort in Sasebo. It focuses on sea life from the Kujukushima Islands, and its jellyfish exhibit and dolphin shows are popular. The Kujukushima sightseeing boat pier is in the same resort, so you can enjoy it together with a cruise.
AquariumNagasaki Penguin Aquarium
Kyushu ・ Nagasaki
An aquarium specializing in penguins, keeping 9 of the world's 18 penguin species. It's said to keep the most penguin species in the world and has one of Japan's largest penguin pools. Admission is an affordable ¥800 for adults, and it can be reached by bus from central Nagasaki.
Botanical gardenSun Messe Nichinan
Kyushu ・ Miyazaki & Nichinan
A park on a hill overlooking the Nichinan coastline, known for its seven Moai statues, reproduced with permission from the Council of Elders of Easter Island. The highlights are the Moai standing with their backs to the sea and the views across the spacious grounds. It's about 40 minutes by car from Miyazaki Airport and can also be reached by local bus from Miyazaki Station.
AquariumOita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago
Kyushu ・ Takasakiyama, Oita
An aquarium near Mt. Takasaki in Oita City, themed on becoming friends with animals. Performances by dolphins, walruses, and others are held many times a day, and you can get close to the animals. It can be reached by bus from Beppu Station and Oita Station, making it easy to combine with sightseeing in Beppu.
Hours, prices and access are based on official and other primary sources. They may change, so check the official website before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-02